Crutch



April 16, 1929. w. M. TAYLOR cnurcn Filed April 30, 1927 Patented Apr.16, W29.

UNITED-i-STATES PATENT or I 1,70a5e1 Pics."-

WILLIAM M. TAYLOR, 0E FAIRHAVEN, OHIO.

CRUTCH.

Application filed April 30, 1927. Serial No. 187,841. i

The invention provides a support embodying a staff and cross pieceadapted to engage under the arm pit of a weak or disabled person, togive assistance when. moving about.

The invention relates to an article of the nature aforesaid which isadjustable and adapted for use by an individual who wishes to have bothhands free, or by one who has lost the hand which otherwise would gripthe staff and hold the crutch in operative position. I

WVhile the drawing illustrates a preferred embodiment of the invention,itis to be understood that in adapting the means to meet specific needsand requirements, the design may be varied and such other changes in theminor details of construction may be resorted to within the scope of theinvention nated in both views of the drawing by like referencecharacters.

The staff of the crutch is designated by the numeral 1 and is providedat its upper end with a fork, to which is adjustably connected an armrest 2 which is concave or hollowed out at its top side to conform tothe under side of the arm adjacent the shoulder. The fork is adapted tobe adjustably connected to the upper end of. the staff 1 and comprisessimilar side pieces 3 which come together at their lower ends to snug-1y receive the staff 1 which is clampedtherebetween by means of bolts 4,or other suitable fastening means.

The upper portions of the fork members are formed with longitudinalslots 5 to receive the bolts 6 whereby the arm rest 2 is adjusta'blysecured to the forks. Lugs 7 are disposed along the sides of the slots 5and are spaced apart to receive plates 8 through which the bolts 6 pass,the arrangement being such as to prevent any possible displacement ofthe arm rest even though the bolts 6 should become loose.

Shoulder straps 9 are connected to the upper portion of the crutch andprovide means for positively connecting the crutch to the person. Theends of the arm rest 2 are recessed to receive the lower ends of theshoulder straps 9 and the latter are formed with openings vtoreceive-the screws or fastenings '6. The straps 9 are adapted to bebuckled over the shoulder in a manner to retain the crutch in positionwhen the person desires to have free use of both hands or is without useof the hand which under ordinary conditions. would be utilized to gripthe crutch. The arrangement is such that the shoulder straps 9 may bedispensed with when not required for use.

Gripping means are provided and, as shown consist of an arm 10 having aclamp ll at one end to receive the staff 1, and having its outer endbent upwardly and forked, as indicated at 12't0 receive the handle 13.In the preferable construction the parts 10,

.11 and 12 consist of wire twisted together and having end portionsflattened and V shaped to provide the clamp 11. A spring band 14 isbolted or otherwise secured to the arm 10 and provides means forengaging the the forearm of the user when the hand has been amputated.If the user is in full possession of the hand necessary to hold thecrutch and manipulate the same the spring band 14 may be dispensed with.V

Having thus described the invention, I claim:

' 1. In combination with a crutch, an arm projecting laterallytherefrom,and a spring band fitted to said arm, and adapted to engage the stump ofthe human arm.

2. A crutch including a staif,a fork comprising similar members havingtheir lower ends brought together at opposite sides of the staff andhaving their upper portions parallel, longitudinally slotted andprovided with outwardly disposed spaced lugs, means adjustablyconnecting the fork members to the upper end of the staff, an arm restbetween the fork members and intermediate means adjustably connectingthe upper ends the ends thereof, shoulder straps extending of theshoulder straps, and plates mounted along the inner sides of the forkmembers upon the outer ends of the bolts and re- 10 and beyond the upperends thereof, bolts ceived between adjaeent'lugs to positively 5 passingthrough slots inthe fork members, hold the parts in adjusted position.

the lower ends of the shoulder straps and In testimony whereof I affixmy signature. threaded into the ends of the arm rest, WILLIAM M. TAYLOR.[n s]

